Grimsby Town were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first round stage as National League Wealdstone struck in the last minute to win at Blundell Park.

The Mariners dominated the first half and could have broken the deadlock when Evan Khouri was brought down inside the box but Justin Obikwu’s penalty hit the post.

Town created several chances before half-time but were kept out by an inspired display from goalkeeper Sam Howes.

After the break, it was a different story as Wealdstone grew in confidence and with the momentum in their favour, the prospect of a cup upset loomed.

And so it proved, as Jack Reid pounced in the 90th minute to grab the only goal and book the away side’s place in the second round draw.

Four changes were made to the Grimsby team that lost to Milton Keynes Dons in Sky Bet League Two last week, with Jordan Wright, Lewis Cass, Jason Svanthorsson and Kieran Green replacing Jackson Smith, Doug Tharme, Tyrell Warren and Luca Barrington.

Wright started in goal, with Cass, Harvey Rodgers, Cameron McJannet and Denver Hume forming the defence.

George McEachran, Khouri and Green were the midfielders, while Svanthorsson and Obikwu supported striker Danny Rose.

Nine substitutes can be named for FA Cup ties, so Seb Auton, Tyrell Warren, Matty Carson, Jayden Luker, Barrington, Callum Ainley, Cameron Gardner, Tharme and Donovan Wilson were all on the home bench.

Wealdstone made the journey north looking to cause an upset and make the most of a break from league action.

Matt Taylor’s Stones currently find themselves third from bottom of the National League and with just two victories from their 16 league games so far.

They would look to the experience of Enzio Boldewijn and Adrian Mariappa to shine through if they were to spring a surprise.

An early free kick from Hume was eventually dealt with after Svanthorsson had headed the ball on, then Wealdstone keeper Howes passed his first test of the afternoon as he pushed a lob attempt from Rose away from goal.

A foul on Khouri brought another free kick on five minutes, this time in a central position and around 30 yards out, although it did not lead to a chance in front of goal.

The away side’s first attack saw the ball worked to Anthony Georgiou on the left but after cutting inside, his cross was pushed away by Wright.

Town were then given their opportunity to break the deadlock when Khouri was brought down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Obikwu stepped up but could only watch his attempt bounce back off the post, with Hume’s rebound then clearing the bar.

Christian Scott was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon for a late challenge on Khouri and the resulting free kick eventually broke for Rodgers but his shot went high over the bar.

Green won a corner on the Town right on 20 minutes and from it, they again went close to taking the lead amid a scramble, although nobody in black and white could force the ball into the net and Wealdstone cleared.

McEachran was booked for bringing Sam Ashford down as the striker looked to break into the Grimsby half, then another Town free kick led to Hume playing the ball to the edge of the box but Green could not direct his header towards goal.

A flowing move down the home left led to a corner on the opposite flank and after Hume’s delivery was headed clear, Howes dived to his right to keep out a curling strike from McEachran and then reacted first to tip Rose’s follow-up onto the bar.

The hosts had been on the attack from the start but as the half-hour mark passed, the game remained goalless as Wealdstone defended resolutely and Town struggled to find a finishing touch.

Max Kretzschmar became the latest to be booked, then Svanthorsson and Cass linked up to create an opening on the Town right on 39 minutes but when the ball was pulled back, nobody was in place to convert the chance.

Good skill by Hume saw him work his way into the box soon afterwards, although his strike from a narrow angle was blocked.

Town continued to come forward with half-time looming and Khouri won a corner on the left on 43 minutes but Cass’ header from it flew off-target.

A great ball from Cass then found Green on the right, although the midfielder’s low cross was intercepted by Mariappa and the visitors cleared.

No added time was played at the end of the first half, so the teams headed into the dressing rooms with the game still goalless.

SECOND HALF

Jack Wells-Morrison replaced Scott in the Wealdstone midfield before the restart and Town created the first opportunity when Cass found Rose on the right. He looked for Obikwu with a square ball but it was cut out for a corner, which Rodgers could only head wide at the far post.

Reid went down inside the box for the visitors but his penalty claim was waved away by the referee, as was one from Obikwu at the other end soon afterwards.

A Wealdstone corner was cleared, with the away side looking to be coming into the game more as an attacking force since the break.

Good covering by Rodgers stopped Reid and brought a quick break to an end, then a free kick from Kretzschmar eventually fell for Boldewijn but his cross was claimed by Wright.

Wealdstone were starting to get on top at the hour mark and it proved to be the cue for changes to be made for Town, with Warren and Barrington replacing Svanthorsson and Green.

McJannet and Rodgers both made vital blocks as the pressure from the visitors continued to build, then Wright was called into action as he dived to stop a low effort from Kallum Cesay.

Sean Adarkwa replaced Kretzschmar as Wealdstone boss Matt Taylor added an extra attacker, before Town looked to have an opening on the left for Obikwu but defender Jayden Mundel-Smith did well to get a foot in and turn the ball away for a throw-in.

Ainley and Gardner were sent on in place of McEachran and Obikwu as the hosts made further changes with 18 minutes to go.

Wealdstone were still on top but Town went close to opening the scoring on 77 minutes when Cass’ cross from the right picked Rose out, although the striker’s header bounced just wide.

Mariappa did well to slide the ball behind for a corner after good play between Hume and Ainley but Hume’s ball from the flag beat everybody and the away side broke through Cesay.

A stoppage came for Boldewijn to receive treatment after going down injured in the centre circle and he was unable to continue, so Micah Obiero came on in his place.

Adarkwa was caught offside as Wealdstone kept looking for an opening goal, then a Hume free kick was headed clear at the other end.

Howes beat Gardner to a ball from Barrington, with the result still in the balance and time now running out for either side to find a winner inside the 90 minutes.

And as the clock ticked into five minutes of added time, that vital goal came and the away pressure finally told. Rodgers looked to have been fouled by Adarkwa but play continued and Reid picked up the loose ball to score from close range.

Luker replaced Cass after the goal as Town now needed a goal to take the tie to extra time but the visitors saw out the remainder of the contest to seal a famous win for them and send the Mariners out of the competition.

The focus now switches back to the league programme and Saturday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.

Town: Wright, Cass (Luker, 90+2), Rodgers, McJannet, Hume, Svanthorsson (Warren, 63), McEachhran (Ainley, 72), Green (Barrington, 63), Khouri, Rose, Obikwu (Gardner, 72)

Subs not used: Auton, Carson, Tharme, Wilson

Attendance, bought to you by Elegant Beds: 3,174